“You cannot wander off for that long!” said Dracon, who did not seem to care who he was addressing now. “You’re not a lowly prince anymore. You’re the Emperor. This is wartime and a crisis. You cannot afford to be reckless.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jaysynn, burdened by the scolding.
It had been like this since they returned to the bunker after he had climbed out of the crater. Dracon had refrained from chastising him while they were still in public so they could avoid losing face with the soldiers and citizens. Their already fragile, if not shattered, morale had to be maintained. But Jaysynn’s transgression could not be ignored. So, no sooner were they back in the bunker did Dracon unload one verbal barrage after another on him.
“I trained you better than this. Dammit, your royal upbringing should have taught you better.”
Jaysynn’s face crinkled as he swallowed his anger. “I get it.”
Dracon pressed a button to activate the light stick, which had been their only illumination the entire week. It would not turn on, so he smacked it in frustration until it did.
The Tinkerer’s batteries must be drained, thought Jaysynn.
The general laid the light on the table and continued his lecture. “Your father was a fool. I had hoped you were the only one of his offspring who didn’t inherit that foolishness,” he said, pointing at Jaysynn.
Dracon’s face was full of annoyance. No, more than annoyance—disappointment. I hate being a disappointment, Jaysynn thought.
“Now get out of that suit so I can have it cleaned. You embarrassed the throne enough walking home in it.”
Dejected, Jaysynn started changing clothes. At least he could wear his more comfortable clothes now.
Would this be a good time to bring up what I heard from those officers? he wondered while he was changing. I didn’t want to say anything in the open in case anyone overheard. I don’t know how deep this conspiracy goes. I can trust Dracon. He’s a hard man, but he would never betray Thyrion.
As he finished changing, he took a deep breath to summon courage. Then he said, “Xander.” He never used Dracon’s first name unless it was truly important. He respected the man too much.
The general glared at him in the dim light, waiting for Jaysynn to prove this was worthy of addressing him as such.
He hesitated only briefly. “While I was in the crater, I overheard something.”
Dracon looked at him sideways. “What do you mean?”
Jaysynn recounted what the Thyrian officers had discussed. Dracon listened intently, his face masked by gruff composure.
“Do you know anything about this?” Jaysynn finally asked him.
The general crossed his arms, his expression unchanging. “I have heard reports like those, but I dismissed them as rumors and hearsay. In all this chaos, it’s difficult to know what is true.”
“You’re confident of the intelligence you shared with me at the crater.”
“Because that came from my most trusted men. Who said these things?”
“I couldn’t see their faces.”
“There were several officers present at the crater. I will speak with them.”
“Is that a good idea? If they’ve kidnapped a Jalseian Engineer, they may kill her if they think we’re suspicious. We can’t afford to have any trouble with our neighbors right now.”
Dracon nodded once. “You’re right. Then I will investigate the matter quietly.”
Jaysynn grinned to hide his disappointment. I’d hoped he’d investigate it immediately. He dared not voice that, so he simply said, “Thank you, Dracon.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I have to meet with the other officers.”
The young Emperor dismissed him with a gesture.
Dracon bowed slightly and departed.
Jaysynn sat in the chair next to the table. He huffed. I need to find out what’s going on. Dracon’s too busy. If the conspirators did something that led to the Cataclysm…I need to find out. I owe it to the people of Thyrion.
Then it’s settled. I’m going to the Hall of Records tonight.
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